Designates La. Highway 113 from the intersection of La. Highway 10 until the Occupy II Baptist Church (3.9 miles) as the Staff Sergeant Robert "Pete" Sweat Memorial Highway
Impact
The enactment of HB 164 will have a significant impact on local communities by honoring individuals through the naming of highways, thereby fostering a sense of community identity and remembrance. The highway naming is a common practice that allows communities to recognize and celebrate the contributions of notable residents and military personnel. The Department of Transportation and Development is tasked with erecting proper signage to reflect these new designations, which will affirm the state's commitment to honoring its citizens.
Summary
House Bill 164 is a legislative act that aims to designate two specific sections of highways in Louisiana with commemorative names. The first section is Louisiana Highway 113, which will be named the 'Staff Sergeant Robert Pete Sweat Memorial Highway'. This segment extends from its intersection with Louisiana Highway 10 to the Occupy II Baptist Church, covering a distance of 3.9 miles. The second section is Louisiana Highway 18, which will be designated as 'Seven Oaks Boulevard', stretching from its intersection with US Highway 90 to its intersection with Louisiana Highway 541 in Jefferson Parish.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 164 is generally positive, with bipartisan support evident during the legislative process. By recognizing the contributions of Sergeant Robert Sweat and establishing new designations for highways, the bill promotes community pride and respect for local history. The act appears to bring legislators together in a shared commitment to honoring service members, which is often met with public approval, thus reflecting well on those who support such initiatives.
Contention
While the bill itself is straightforward, emphasizing memorialization, there may be underlying contention regarding resource allocation for signage and the process of naming roads after individuals. Some may argue that the resources used for signage could be redirected to more pressing infrastructure needs. However, as the bill does not propose any significant fiscal changes or regulatory adjustments, it primarily focuses on honoring individuals, and thus it faces little opposition.
Requests that the Bd. of Regents and the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education, with the Taylor Foundation, La. Office of Student Financial Assistance, public postsecondary education management boards, and certain others, study certain issues relative to TOPS
Requests the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to study employment practices and professional licensing requirements to benefit veterans in the workforce
Creates a task force to study meaningful oversight of the professional healthcare licensing boards statutorily created within the Department of Health and Hospitals.